Prayagraj: Students from smaller cities of Uttar Pradesh have once again outperformed their peers from larger urban centers, as demonstrated by the results of the 2026 UP Board Class X and XII examinations. Candidates from districts such as Sitapur and Barabanki achieved outstanding results across both levels, continuing a trend of consistent dominance in the merit list. This highlights a significant shift in the state’s academic landscape, with smaller districts steadily surpassing larger urban centers in academic performance.
Class X Results
In the Class X (High School) examinations, the top rank was shared by Kashish Verma from Sitapur and Anshika Verma from Barabanki, both scoring an impressive 97.83%. The second position was secured by Aditi from Barabanki with 97.5%, while the third rank saw a tie among three students: Arpita from Sitapur, Rishabh Sahu from Jhansi, and Pari Verma from Barabanki, each scoring 97.33%. The fourth position, with 97.17%, was claimed by candidates from Sitapur, Farrukhabad, Pratapgarh, Prayagraj, Ambedkar Nagar, and Mau. The fifth rank, with 97%, included students from Sitapur, Saharanpur, Etawah, Fatehpur, Ambedkar Nagar, and Gonda.
Class XII Results
In the Class XII (Intermediate) examinations, Sitapur led the way with Shikha Verma securing the top rank with 97.6%. The second rank was shared by students from Bareilly and Barabanki, while the third rank also saw representation from these two districts. Candidates from Sitapur continued to dominate, occupying the fifth and sixth ranks as well. Barabanki similarly boasted multiple top performers across different ranks.
Overall Performance and Trends
Overall, Sitapur and Barabanki districts have outperformed many students from major cities, consistently occupying top positions in both examinations. Along with support from other smaller districts such as Bareilly, Gonda, Etawah, and Ambedkar Nagar, this year’s results reflect a significant decentralisation of academic excellence in the state. Notably, no student from major cities, including Prayagraj, ranked among the top 10 merit holders in Class XII, except for Amit Shahu from Kanpur, who secured the seventh position. In Class X, the top five merit holders are predominantly from smaller towns, with only one student, Avika Sharma from Prayagraj, achieving the fourth rank.
This trend underscores the growing academic competitiveness of smaller districts in Uttar Pradesh, signaling a shift in educational focus and resources away from traditional urban centers.
